Fever alert system

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, a system and a method for monitoring and alerting a user caring for a patient when a change in body temperature requires immediate attention. The apparatus is a bracelet worn by the user. The system includes the bracelet in wireless communication with a temperature sensing device placed on the patient. The bracelet has a display operative for displaying the body temperature, an audible alarm that sounds and a vibration that occurs when the temperature exceeds a setpoint, and a plurality of lights, each with a unique setpoint, a light activated when the temperature exceeds the setpoint. The user attaches the temperature sensing device to the patient and dons the bracelet. The user can then sleep, selectively observing the display and lights upon waking with confidence that the system is monitoring the patient&#39;s temperature and selectively alerting the user when a change in body temperature requires immediate attention.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a nonprovisional utility application of theprovisional patent application Ser. No. 61/809,509 filed in the UnitedStates Patent Office on Apr. 8, 2013 and claims the priority thereof andis expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a fever alert system. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to a wearable apparatus, aremote fever alert system and method of using same.

BACKGROUND

Infants and young children often spike high fevers when ill. These highfevers often are accompanied by febrile seizures and othercomplications. High fevers also can indicate a serious illness such asencephalitis and meningitis.

Modern medical thinking is that a sustained moderately elevatedtemperature that by itself does not cause discomfort actually helps thebody fight infection. However, a spiking fever, that is a rapid rise inbody temperature or a sustained high temperature is dangerous, requiringimmediate attention as well as extremely uncomfortable for the patient.

Febrile seizures run in families. When a child has a history of febrileseizures or there is a family history of febrile seizures, parents andcaregivers are in for sleepless nights when the child is sick,monitoring the child and staying close by.

Caregivers who provide care for the incapacitated, such as the elderlyor those who cannot communicate, must also stay close by when thepatient becomes ill with an accompanying fever.

While some temperature monitors may be suitable for the particularpurpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable forthe purposes of the present disclosure as disclosed hereafter.

In the present disclosure, where a document, act or item of knowledge isreferred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not anadmission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combinationthereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to thepublic, part of common general knowledge or otherwise constitutes priorart under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to berelevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which the presentdisclosure is concerned.

While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussedto facilitate the present disclosure, no technical aspects aredisclaimed and it is contemplated that the claims may encompass one ormore of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is toprovide a method of monitoring a sick patient, especially a sick childfor a change in body temperature that requires immediate attention.Accordingly, an aspect of an example embodiment in the presentdisclosure provides a method of remotely monitoring the body temperatureof a sick patient through a wireless sensing device coupled to anapparatus with an alarm.

Another aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is toprovide an apparatus that allows a caregiver to remotely maintainvigilance over a sick child. Accordingly, the present disclosureprovides a bracelet in wireless communication with a body temperaturesensing device, the bracelet showing the body temperature in a displayand through a plurality of lights each having a unique temperaturesetpoint.

A further aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure isto provide an apparatus the allows a caregiver to sleep whilemaintaining vigilance over a sick child. Accordingly, the presentdisclosure provides a bracelet selectively worn while sleeping, thebracelet in wireless communication with a body temperature sensingdevice, the bracelet providing an alarm and a plurality of vibrationswhen a change in body temperature requires immediate attention.

The present disclosure describes an apparatus, a system and a method formonitoring and alerting a user caring for a patient when a change inbody temperature requires immediate attention. The apparatus is abracelet worn by the user. The system includes the bracelet in wirelesscommunication with a temperature sensing device placed on the patient.The bracelet has a display operative for displaying the bodytemperature, an audible alarm that sounds and a vibrator that vibrateswhen the temperature exceeds a setpoint, and a plurality of lights, eachwith a unique setpoint, a light activated when the temperature exceedsthe setpoint. The user attaches the temperature sensing device to thepatient such as a young child, and dons the bracelet. The user can thensleep, selectively observing the display and lights upon waking withconfidence that the system is monitoring the patient's temperature andselectively alerting the user when a change in body temperature requiresimmediate attention.

The present disclosure addresses at least one of the foregoingdisadvantages. However, it is contemplated that the present disclosuremay prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in anumber of technical areas. Therefore, the claims should not necessarilybe construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems ordeficiencies discussed hereinabove. To the accomplishment of the above,this disclosure may be embodied in the form illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, thatthe drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as beingpart of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals.The drawings are briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 is perspective view of an example embodiment of a bodytemperature monitoring device for placing in an ear of a patient.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of the body temperature monitoring device inplace on the ear of a patient, the patient shown in outline.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a braceletoperative for monitoring body temperature of a patient and alerting auser of a change that requires immediate attention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bracelet worn on a wrist of theuser.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a monitoroperative for observing body temperature of the patient and alerting theuser of a change that requires attention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a system operative for monitoring bodytemperature of the patient.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the system in use, the user wearing thebracelet and the patient wearing the temperature sensing device.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the steps of a method in the system.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of another example embodiment of a bodytemperature monitoring device for locking on an ear of a patient in alocked position.

FIG. 9B, similar to FIG. 9A, is a perspective view of another exampleembodiment of a body temperature monitoring device for locking on an earof a patient in an open position.

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which show various exampleembodiments. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to the exampleembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments areprovided so that the present disclosure is thorough, complete and fullyconveys the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus in a system for monitoring and alertinga user caring for a patient when a change in the patient's bodytemperature requires immediate attention. The apparatus is a bracelet 10worn by the user. The user wears the bracelet 10, allowing the user isnot be present with the patient, the user still continuously vigilantand capable of observing any changes in the patient's body temperaturethat indicate the patient requires immediate attention.

The bracelet 10 is comfortably worn by the user, allowing the user tosleep in a separate room from the patient and carry on activities ofdaily living in the vicinity of the patient. The system allows the userto remotely observe the temperature of the patient without disturbingthe patient. As a non-limiting example, a parent confidently sleeps in aseparate room when the child is ill, knowing that the bracelet 10 sendsan alert if the child's temperature exceeds a setpoint or rapidly rises,the alert prompting the parent to immediately attend and observefirsthand, monitoring the child for seizures and other seriouscomplications. The parent can observe the child's temperature throughthe bracelet 10 without entering the child's room and disturbing thechild.

It is understood that this discussion often refers to a parent and achild to illustrate the utility of the disclosed embodiments, but thatthis is not a limitation and the disclosure is applicable to anycaretaker and patient.

In one embodiment, the bracelet 10 has an internal transceiver 14operative for wirelessly receiving a signal from a body temperaturesensing device. The body temperature sensing device is describedhereinbelow. The signal communicates the temperature detected by thesensing device to the transceiver 14 in the bracelet 10 when the devicein place on a patient.

The bracelet 10 has an alarm with a speaker 24 in communication with thetransceiver 14. The alarm is associated with a unique setpoint, thealarm sounding when the temperature is greater than the unique setpoint,the sounding of the alarm indicating that the patient has an elevatedbody temperature requiring immediate attention.

In a further embodiment, the bracelet 10 has an exterior with aninterior surface 12 and an outer surface 10E. On the outer surface 10Eis a display 20 in communication with the transceiver 14. The display 20is operative for displaying the temperature detected by the temperaturesensing device.

In another embodiment, the bracelet 10 has a plurality of lights 22 onthe outer surface 10E. The lights 22 are in communication with thetransceiver 14. Each light 22 is associated with a unique setpoint, eachlight selectively shining when the temperature is greater than itsunique setpoint operative for communicating the body temperature. In oneembodiment, the lights are different colors. As a non-limiting example,a green light 22 has a setpoint of “normal” or non-febrile temperature.“Normal temperature” is defined by the placement of the temperaturesensing device, placement in the ear having a different “normal”temperature than placement in the axilla. A yellow light 22 has a setpoint of a slightly elevated temperature and a red light 22 has a setpoint of an elevated temperature that requires attention as furthernon-limiting example embodiments.

In a further example embodiment, as a further non-limitingdemonstration, a yellow light 22 has a setpoint of a slightly elevatedtemperature, an orange light 22 has a set point of slightly moreelevated temperature and a red light 22 has set point of an elevatedtemperature that requires immediate attention. As it is understood bythose of ordinary skill, the colors, setpoints and exact number oflights are not limitations and can vary within the inventive concept.

In one embodiment, the bracelet 10 has an internal controller inside,the controller coupled to the transceiver 14; the controller is notvisible in the drawing. The controller is operative for wirelesslyreceiving the signal from the body temperature sensing device.

In one example embodiment the bracelet 10 includes a soft siliconestrap, preferable for wearing during the day, although when the siliconestrap is worn is not a limitation. In a further example embodiment, thebracelet 10 includes a cloth strap with a hook and loop closureoperative for easy size adjustment, the cloth strap preferable forwearing when sleeping, but when the cloth strap is worn is not alimitation.

The controller is in communication with the alarm 24, the alarmassociated with a unique setpoint in the controller, the controllerselectively sounding the alarm, providing an audible alert when thetemperature is greater than the unique setpoint, the sounding of thealarm alerting the user, indicating that the patient has a bodytemperature requiring immediate attention.

In one example embodiment, the alarm sounds coordinate with thesetpoints of the lights 22. In a further example embodiment, a differentsetpoints, the frequency of the alarm varies, producing differentpitches, the higher the frequency, the higher the temperature. In yetanother example embodiment, the frequency of the sounding of the alarmincrease with the increasing temperature. As a non-limiting example,when the yellow light 22 illuminates indicating a slightly elevatedtemperature, the alarm sounds twelve times a minute. When the orangelight 22 illuminates, the alarm sounds every second and when the redlight 22 illuminates, the alarm is constant. Alternatively, the alarm isa rapid staccato.

The controller in the bracelet 10 monitors change in temperature atpreset intervals, calculates a derivative indicating a rate of changeand sounding the alarm when the derivative exceeds a preset limitindicating a rapid spike in temperature requiring immediate attention.

In a further embodiment, the controller is in communication with thedisplay 20, the controller directing the display 20 to show thetemperature detected by the temperature sensing device. The controlleris in communication with the lights 22, each light 22 associated with aunique setpoint in the controller, the controller selectively activatingeach light 22 when the detected temperature is greater than its uniquesetpoint.

The bracelet 10 has a switch 26 for selectively illuminating the display20. The display 20 is not illuminated without selecting the switch 26 sothat the user wearing the bracelet 10 when sleeping is not disturbed bythe illuminating display 20, nor is any other person in the vicinity ofthe parent, who may also be trying to sleep.

The bracelet 10 has a soft key button 28, the soft key button 28operative for selecting the unique setpoints through the display 20. Inanother embodiment, the soft key button 28 is operative for resettingthe controller, changing the unique setpoints in the controller throughthe display 20. The soft key button 28 selectively deactivates allalerts.

In one embodiment, the bracelet 10 has an internal vibrator, thevibrator associated with a unique setpoint, the vibrator vibrating whenthe temperature is greater than the unique setpoint, the vibratorvibrating the bracelet 10 operative for alerting a user.

In a further embodiment, the bracelet 10 has an interior conductivesurface 12, the conductive surface in direct contact with a user's skinwhen the bracelet 10 is worn. The conductive surface 12 is coupled tothe controller, the controller selectively transmitting an electriccurrent to the conductive surface when the temperature is greater thanthe unique setpoint in the controller, the conductive surface mildlyshocking the skin operative for alerting the user. FIG. 4 shows thebracelet 10 on a wrist 100 of the user in contact with a user's skin. Itis understood that the present disclosure discusses a plurality ofsensory signals indicating elevated temperatures that includes visual,aural and contact signals such as vibration and mild shock and thatthose of ordinary skill understand that other forms of sensory signalsare possible within the inventive concept.

FIG. 1 demonstrates an example embodiment of a body temperature sensingdevice 40 in the system. The device has a probe 42 that inserts into anouter ear canal of the patient and measures the body temperature. In thedrawing, the probe is bulbous in shape as a non-limiting example and itis understood the probe is not limited to one particular shape, but canalso be, as a non-limiting example, conical or frustoconical. The device40 has a transmitter 44 and an auricle clip 46 for attaching 40 thedevice to an outer ear auricle. FIG. 2 shows the device 40 attaching tothe auricle 102 of the patient 104.

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B show another example of a locking auricle clip 48.The clip 48 is a two part locking clip that includes a cam 47 and achild-resistant release 45 forming a child-resistant lock on the clip48, maintaining the body temperature sensing device in place on theouter ear canal when a sick child or delirious adult patient tries toremove it. To release the clip, the user pushes the child-resistantrelease, releasing the cam 47, the locking auricle clip 48 opening foreasy removal.

It is understood by those of ordinary skill that other exampleembodiments of the temperature sensing device, such as, for example, butnot limited to an axillary sensor, a rectal sensor and an oral sensor,are possible within the inventive concept and such example embodimentsare not to be construed as limitations.

FIG. 6 shows the system for monitoring and alerting the user caring forthe patient when the change in body temperature requires immediateattention.

In this example embodiment, the body temperature sensing device 40 is anaural sensor operative for wirelessly transmitting a signalcommunicating a body temperature when in place on the patient's auricle.

The system includes the bracelet 10 worn by a user describedhereinabove, the bracelet 10 operative for wirelessly receiving thesignal from the body temperature sensing device 40. The bracelet 10 isoperative for alerting the user, indicating that the patient has a bodytemperature requiring immediate attention.

In a further example embodiment, the system further comprises a monitor50 having a transceiver 14 operative for wirelessly receiving a signalfrom the controller in the bracelet 10.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the monitor 50 has a display 20 incommunication with the bracelet 10 through the bracelet controller, thebracelet controller directing the display 20 to show the temperaturedetected by the temperature sensing device 40.

The monitor 50 further has lights 22 in communication with the braceletcontroller, each light associated with a unique setpoint in thecontroller. The lights 22 replicate the lights 22 on the bracelet 10,the lights 22 operating as explained hereinabove.

The monitor 50 further has the alarm 24 in communication with thebracelet controller, the alarm replicating the alarm on the bracelet 10,the alarm sounding, alerting the user, indicating that the patient has abody temperature requiring immediate attention.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an example embodiment of the system in use.The user 110, who is the caregiver sleeps in a first room 90, thepatient 104 sleeping in a second room 80 with a wall 92 separating therooms 80, 90. It is understood that more than one wall or no wall canseparate the user and the patient, the drawing presented as anon-limiting example. The user 110 is wearing the bracelet 10 on thewrist 100.

The patient 104 sleeps with the temperature sensing device 40 in place.In one example embodiment, the device 40 is place in the ear on thepatient's head 102. In a further example embodiment, the temperaturesensing device 40A is on an arm band placed on a patient's upper arm,the device having a probe in place engaging an axilla. It is understoodthat the system requires only one device and the two examplesembodiments in the drawing are for illustrative purposes, showingalternative devices.

FIG. 7 further demonstrates a method for alerting the user 110 caringfor the patient 104 when a change in body temperature requires immediateattention.

The method comprises the user 110 attaching the body temperature sensingdevice 40, 40A to the patient 104, the device 40 operative forwirelessly communicating the body temperature of the patient 104.

The user 110 dons the bracelet 10, the bracelet having a controlleroperative for wirelessly receiving the signal from the device 40.

The user 110 observes the body temperature of the patient by looking atthe display 20 and the lights on the bracelet 10, the operation of whichis explained hereinabove and illustrated in FIG. 3. The user 110determines which lights 22 are activated, the activated lights 22indicating the temperature is greater than the setpoint of the activatedlights 22.

The user 110 selectively receives the alert indicating that the patient104 has body temperature requiring immediate attention by hearing thesounding of the alarm 24 on the bracelet 10 alerting the user. In afurther example embodiment, the user 110 receives a shock. In anotherexample embodiment, the user 110 feels vibrations.

As described hereinabove, the bracelet 10 further comprises a soft keybutton 28 operative for changing the unique setpoints in the controllerthrough the display 20 and the method further comprises the user 110setting the setpoints in the controller with the soft key button 28.

As further described hereinabove, the bracelet 10 has a display switch26 for selectively illuminating the display 20 and the method furthercomprises the user 110 selectively illuminating the display 20 with theswitch 26.

Referring to FIG. 3, a example embodiment of a method for providing thebracelet 10 comprises, coupling a transceiver 14 to the interior 12 ofthe bracelet 10. In another example embodiment, the controller iscoupled to the interior 12 of the bracelet 10.

The method further comprises coupling the alarm to the bracelet, thealarm having a speaker 24 on the exterior outer surface 10E of thebracelet, the alarm in communication with the transceiver 14. In afurther example embodiment, the alarm is in communication with thecontroller 14.

In one example embodiment, the method further comprises coupling thelights 22 to the bracelet 10 on the exterior outer surface 10E, thelights 22 in communication with the transceiver 14. In a further exampleembodiment, the lights 22 are in communication with the controller.

In a further example embodiment, the method further comprises couplingthe display 20 to the outer surface 10E of the bracelet, the display 20in communication with the transceiver 14. In a further exampleembodiment, the display 20 is in communication with the controller

Referring to FIG. 8, an example embodiment of a method of braceletoperation, bracelet having the controller, is described. The controllerreceives a body temperature signal from the temperature sensing device114.

In one embodiment, the controller directs the display to show the bodytemperature 116. In a further embodiment, the controller determines ifthe temperature is above the setpoint of each light 118. If thetemperature is above the setpoint of the light, the controller activatesthe light 120.

The controller determines if the temperature s above the setpoint of thealarm 122. If the temperature is above the setpoint of the alarm, in oneembodiment, the controller sounds the alarm, in another embodiment, theactivates the vibrator, in a further embodiment, sends a shock to theconductive surface 124.

FIG. 6 demonstrates a method for facilitating a system for alerting theuser when a change in the patient's body temperature requires immediateattention. The method comprises providing the body temperature sensingdevice 40 operative for wirelessly transmitting a signal communicating abody temperature of a patient and providing the bracelet 10 operativefor wirelessly receiving the signal from the body temperature sensingdevice, the bracelet providing an alert when the temperature is greaterthan the unique setpoint, as described hereinabove.

In a further embodiment, the method further comprises providing themonitor 50 in wireless communication with the bracelet 10, the monitor50 replicating the alarm sounded by the bracelet 10.

The disclosed embodiments may individually and/or collectively becomponents of a larger system, wherein other procedures may takeprecedence over or otherwise modify their application. Also, a number ofsteps may be required before, after, and/or concurrently with thefollowing embodiments.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentdisclosure may be embodied as a system, method or software applicationproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure may take theform of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “system.” Furthermore, aspects ofthe present disclosure may take the form of a software applicationproduct embodied in one or more readable media having readable programcode embodied thereon.

It is understood that when an element is referred hereinabove as being“on” another element, it can be directly on the other element orintervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there areno intervening elements present.

Moreover, any components or materials can be formed from a same,structurally continuous piece or separately fabricated and connected.

It is further understood that, although ordinal terms, such as, “first,”“second,” “third,” are used herein to describe various elements,components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms.These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region,layer or section from another element, component, region, layer orsection. Thus, “a first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer” or“section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component,region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper” and the like, are used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both anorientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross sectionillustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments.As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result,for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, example embodiments described herein should not beconstrued as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustratedherein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, forexample, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated ordescribed as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features.Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, theregions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and theirshapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region andare not intended to limit the scope of the present claims.

In conclusion, herein is presented a wearable apparatus, a remote feveralert system and method of using same. The disclosure is illustrated byexample in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description.It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, whileadhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated asbeing a part of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for monitoring and alerting a usercaring for a patient when a change in body temperature requiresimmediate attention, comprising: a body temperature sensing deviceoperative for wirelessly transmitting a signal communicating a bodytemperature when in place on a patient wherein the temperature sensingdevice is placed inside a patient's ear, the device having an auricleclip for attaching to an ear external portion, the auricle clip having achild-resistant lock; and a bracelet worn by a user, the bracelet havinga controller operative for wirelessly receiving the signal from the bodytemperature sensing device, the controller monitoring change intemperature at preset intervals, calculating a derivative indicating arate of change, the bracelet having a display in communication with thecontroller, the controller directing the display to show the temperaturedetected by the body temperature sensing device, the bracelet having aswitch, the switch selectively illuminating the display, the switch asoft key button operative for changing a plurality of unique setpointsin the controller through the display, the bracelet having a pluralityof lights in communication with the controller, each light associatedwith a unique setpoint in the controller, the controller selectivelyactivating each light when the temperature detected by the bodytemperature sensing device is greater than its unique setpoint operativefor communicating a body temperature of the patient to the user, thebracelet having an alarm in communication with the controller, the alarmassociated with a unique setpoint in the controller, the controllerselectively sounding the alarm, the alarm providing an audible alertwhen the temperature detected by the body temperature sensing device isgreater than the unique setpoint or when the derivative exceeds a presetlimit, the sounding of the alarm alerting the user, indicating that thepatient has a body temperature requiring immediate attention, thebracelet further comprising an internal vibrator in communication withthe controller, the vibrator associated with a unique setpoint in thecontroller, the controller selectively activating the vibrator when thetemperature is greater than the unique setpoint, the vibrator vibratingthe bracelet operative for alerting the user, the bracelet furthercomprising an interior conductive surface, the conductive surface indirect contact with the user's skin, the conductive surface coupled tothe controller, the controller selectively transmitting an electriccurrent to the conductive surface when the temperature is greater thanthe unique setpoint in the controller, the conductive surface lightlyshocking the skin operative for alerting the user.